Horse found strangled NE of Stevensville

A horse was found strangled to death in a field near Stevensville last Saturday. According to the horse’s owner, Pat Cregan, she found the horse Saturday morning lying dead in the pasture with a rope wrapped around its neck so tightly that it had cut into the flesh. The rope was severed, leaving a short piece dangling. Cregan said that she believes the person knew her and deliberately picked her riding horse out of the six in the pasture to kill. She believes it may be an act of revenge related to long standing neighborhood disputes.

According to Sheriff Chris Hoffman, there is an open investigation going on into the incident, but initial investigation suggests that it appears to be an intentional act on the part of a person or persons unknown. The horse was killed in the area of Moiese Lane north of Stevensville and east of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. Anyone with any knowledge or information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 375-4060.